Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow, hired in 2011 after a stint in St. Louis' front office, brought a forward-thinking approach that utilizes analytics heavily. Under his watch, the team created the Ground Control database.
Click through the gallery for some of the notable revelations from when that database was hacked during the 2013 season and subsequent offseason. less

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow, hired in 2011 after a stint in St. Louis' front office, brought a forward-thinking approach that utilizes analytics heavily. Under his watch, the team created the Ground ... more

The popular second baseman, arguably the current face of the Houston franchise, came up in a Dec. 2013 conversation with Miami. The Marlins wanted him in exchange for outfielder Logan Morrison.

Jose Altuve

The popular second baseman, arguably the current face of the Houston franchise, came up in a Dec. 2013 conversation with Miami. The Marlins wanted him in exchange for outfielder Logan Morrison.

Photo: Gary Coronado, Houston Chronicle

Jose Altuve The popular second baseman, arguably the current... Photo-8161351.111752 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Bud Norris trade

The pitcher was the Astros' biggest trade chip at the 2013 deadline, and Luhnow and other front-office staffers tried to get a king's ransom in return for Nortis, considered a middle-of-the-rotation starter. Among the top pitching prospects they reportedly tried and failed to get included Baltimore's Dylan Bundy, San Francisco's Dylan Crick, and Toronto's Aaron Sanchez,

Luhnow's counteroffer to the Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton reportedly was Cosart and DeShields. Neither is with the Astros now, as Cosart was sent to the Marlins in the Jake Marisnick/Colin Moran trade and DeShields was lost to Texas in the Rule 5 draft.

The Astros tried to trade Harrell, a bottom-of-the-rotation starter, for Nationals prospect Lucas Giolito becase "we still value Harrell highly." Nationals GM Mike Rizzo didn't respond immediately. The Astros later traded Harrell to Arizona in April 2014 for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

While shopping closer Jose Veras in 2013, the Astros tried to pry pitching prospect Nate Thompson from the Tigers. Detroit said no, and instead sent minor leaguers Danry Vasquez and David Paulino to Houston.